Muscatine using coal ash on streets to save salt

The city of Muscatine, Iowa is using coal ash on its streets to conserve salt this winter, a development that has some people concerned about pollution.
The material, known as bottom coal ash, is waste from burning coal. Muscatine Power and Water is providing it to the city for free.

The Muscatine Journal reports some people have expressed concern about whether the coal ash is safe to use on city streets. The material is known to contain levels of heavy metal pollutants, including lead and mercury.

State and utility officials say the city and company have been following state laws that govern the use of coal ash. Muscatine Power and Water says the utility is actively finding ways to recycle coal ash to save on landfill space.

Iowa Climate Statement 2015: Time for Action

Chris Anderson, Assistant Director of the Climate
Science Program at Iowa State University, spoke during the press conference for the 2015 Iowa Climate Statement at the Iowa capitol in Des Moines on Monday May 11, 2015. (Joe Bolkcom/Twitter)